Pages

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Welcome, Deborah. Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.

I don’t consciously write myself into any of my
characters—I’m too boring! I do suppose there’s a little bit of me in each of
them, though. Deep characteristics that may not show up front, but that you’d
have to know me really well to see.

What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?

Hmm. I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. Like
I said, I’m a boring person.

When did you first
discover that you were a writer?

Probably about twenty years ago, although I loved writing
when I was a kid. I started a couple books back then, but I had no one to
encourage me, so they went by the wayside. Because I always loved reading, what
I read made me want to write.

Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

As a book reviewer, I enjoy reading most genres. The genres
I don’t like are fantasy (although I have a friend who writes YA fantasy, and I
love her work), paranormal, and horror. I’ve yet to try steampunk, so I
couldn’t say about that one.

How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?

By the renewing of my mind in the Word of God. Literally. I
don’t know how I’d do it without Scripture.

How do you choose
your characters’ names?

I don’t really have a set method. There are names in my head
that I’ve liked over the years, and use them when they fit my characters.
Sometimes, just knowing what my character is like, I’ll just think of different
names, and when I hit on one that seems to fit, I’ll use it.

What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I would have to say my 34 year marriage. With all the
divorces in this world, even among Christians, I think that’s something to be
pretty proud of. And because I’m as equally proud of a few other things, I’m
going to mention those, too:

Having raised my two sons, and, of course, my two published
books.

If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?

I’ve never thought of myself as any kind of animal, but if I
had to choose, I guess I could say a lioness, because of how fiercely they
protect their young.

What is your favorite
food?

Can I mention more than one? LOL! Lately, when we go to
Olive Garden, I always order the Chicken Scampi. I enjoy nothing else there, or
at any other restaurant as much as I do that. Ice Cream, summer fruits, a
sandwich from my local pizza parlor called a Turkey Delight . . . I’d better
stop there.

Yum. I’m getting
hungry. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and
how did you overcome it?

I guess it was the layering in of the deep point of view, so
that it made sense to the reader when a character did certain things. I’m
mostly a self-taught writer, so it took a long time of studying and having
critique after critique to finally “get” it.

Tell us about the
featured book.

Here is the back cover blurb:

Investigative journalist, Amber Blake, is a little person
bent on payback for the death of her average-sized twin sister. Enlisted by her
former partner and estranged husband, Evan, she poses as a counselor in an
abortion clinic to expose the doctor responsible for fetal harvesting. As a
Christian, she struggles with concealing her beliefs to maintain her cover,
while the doctor’s romantic overtures tumble her stomach. Amber agrees to date
him for the sake of the story . . . but nothing prepares her for what’s behind
a mysterious door in his office.

Please give us the
first page of the book.

She would be working for her sister’s killer.

Amber’s
skin goosebumped as she drove down the town’s main highway to the Cedarview
Women’s Center for her first day on the job. To think the man responsible for
Ashley’s death, Dr. Albert Hines, would be her employer.

Her foot
pumped the extender pedal for the brake, and her Honda Odyssey glided to a
smooth stop at the red traffic signal. She sometimes wondered what it would
feel like to be five-six instead of four foot tall, and able to drive without
the extenders, to live a life without the need for any adaptive products.

She was
about to find out. In part, anyway. Her last visit to the clinic for the
interview revealed very few accommodations for a little person. Not that she
expected there would be any, as they probably never had a dwarf working there
before. Despite her size, Dr. Hines had shown her much respect. Because of that
surprising courtesy, a tinge of guilt crept in at the thought that he would end
up in prison because of her.

Not enough
to put her off though. He had it coming.

Amber
pulled the minivan into the clinic’s parking lot and watched, mouth agape, as
two lines of protesters shouted across an imaginary divide. Some of them
resembled snarling cougars ready to pounce at the slightest provocation.

Her heartbeat quickened. Her first day on the job and she had
to deal with this? The big question was how to get through that crowd
unscathed.

A heavy
sigh forced its way through her lips, as she rolled into an empty spot around
the side of the simple brick building. Her dry mouth tasted stale. She turned
off the engine and sat frozen for a moment. The overcast sky added to her sense
of dread and doom.

What am I doing here?

Despite the
cold weather, her palms were sweaty, and she rubbed them against the soft wool
of her coat. She couldn’t go in. Crossing those picket lines could incite a
riot.

I’ve
enjoyed our chat today, Deborah, and I’m sure my readers will, too.Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Hush, Little Baby - paperbackHush, Little Baby - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com